Thai Immigration Asks Foreigners For Bank Accounts, Social Media, Hangouts

[Flashermac]

BANGKOK — Foreign nationals residing in Thailand are being asked to disclose personal information to the government, including their bank details and where they hang out online and offline.

 

Internal documents obtained earlier this month by Khaosod English showed the Immigration Bureau would ask foreigners for personal details about places they frequent in the virtual and real worlds, additional information to be filed before they can extend their visas or complete the routine 90-day reports required to reside legally in the kingdom.

 

In recent days, a number of people have reported on Twitter and online forums frequented by expats that they have received the new forms at the Immigration Division 1 office and One-Stop Service Center at Chamchuri Square. Both are in Bangkok.

 

Apart from the basic information, the form requires details about what social media they use, details of vehicles they use including license plate numbers, and “places or premises visited often by the foreigner … such as club, restaurant, shop, hospital and other places.†The form also asks for their bank account numbers.

 

Chatchawan Wachirapaneekhun, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau’s crime suppression unit, said providing the information was not mandatory.

 

“We won’t force them to fill it out,†he said. “We won’t bother with their social media – if they aren't doing anything wrong.â€

 

The form indicates it was written March 22 by Maj. Gen. Chatchawan. It is purportedly for recording information of all foreigners entering and living in the kingdom. It indicates the information will be used to record of residence in the country according to articles 37 and 38 of the 1979 Immigration Act.

 

Chatchawan said in the past, immigration lacked sufficient information about foreign nationals living in Thailand when problems arose. He said the new information was being sought to help track down foreigners when problems arose.

 

He said that the information would soon be integrated under the same linked information system. Some of the information, he said, such as bank account details, were already required when for extended stays.

 

“We are considering national security,†he said. “Considering entering the ASEAN community and the increasing terrorism problem, some people escape after committing a crime, and we cannot track them down.â€

 

 

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460977949

[jitagawn]

:down: :help: :nono:

[cavanami]

Reading reports of people that went to do their 90 day check in, this new form new was mentioned.

 

When I do my online 90 day check in...see if the form appears...

[pasathai1]

I forsee a lot of compromised info and credit fraud soon

[Dexi]

They already want to know your yearly income - its on the back of the arrival card.I always fill it it truthfully of course .Had to smile last time waiting at the immigration counter,a young tourist ( backpacker type ) was getting into a heated conversation with the official about the section which asks where you will stay whilst in the Kingdom " But I don`t know yet " pleaded the backpacker when asked to fill in the relevant section.I felt like saying " FFS its a form,it has to be filled in ,just think of something,its not like they`re going to send someone round to check "

[waerth]

I never fill out the back of the arrival card. In the beginning I did and filled in 1 billion as income hoping for a red carpet reception ....

[Flashermac]

If you work here, they have a copy of your contract, including your address and salary. If you're retired here, they not only do but have information on your bank. I see little reason for this change, if it does happen. Do they really care about your email and hangouts?

[waerth]

They want the email addresses so they can sell them to advertisers

[khunsanuk]

Hi,

 

Got the form from HR yesterday

 

Sanuk!

[Flashermac]

I know a guy would just did his 90 day in Jomtien and didn't get it. Chaos as usual?